backhanded compliment
US /ˈbækˌhæn.dɪd ˈkɑm.plɪ.mənt/
UK /ˈbækˌhæn.dɪd ˈkɑm.plɪ.mənt/
1.
칭찬 같지 않은 칭찬, 모욕적인 칭찬
a compliment that is also an insult or that implies something negative
:
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Her comment about my dress being 'surprisingly nice' felt like a backhanded compliment.
내 드레스가 '의외로 괜찮다'는 그녀의 말은 칭찬 같지 않은 칭찬처럼 느껴졌다.
•
He gave me a backhanded compliment, saying I was smart for a beginner.
그는 나에게 칭찬 같지 않은 칭찬을 했다. 초보자치고는 똑똑하다고 말하면서.